Homemade Gifts Made Easy

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If you are looking to find a simpler way to DIY your gifts this year, homemade gifts made easy will help you come up with a few new and personal ideas. Give what you grew, made, or created, and share a bit of your homesteading life with someone on your list this year.

I love these homesteading tips because they help you share your love of self-sufficiency with those around you.

homemade gifts made easy

Homemade gifts are a great way to share what you know and what you love with someone you care about. And, bonus, what better way to use up your garden surplus than by making a few gifts for your friends and family?

These gifts are not only perfect for hostess gifts, birthdays, or just because, but they also make wonderful Christmas gift ideas.

body scrub, towels, soaps, and candles on a display table

Year after year, my family looks forward to wares from our small homestead. Salsa is a favorite of mine and theirs, too, and I love to share a few jars from our summer harvest with everyone each holiday season.

Add to those jars a bag of chips, a pretty bowl, and a few fun napkins, and what you have is a fun and personalized holiday gift. No, DIY doesn’t have to be hard or even complicated! 

You can plan an early harvest of what you need from your garden, make your gifts in the summer, and have them wrapped and ready to give long before Christmas arrives. This year, you can walk in armed with gifts you made with your heart and from your home. And this beats impersonal store-bought gifts any day. 

SLCG Pro Tip: Are you late and didn’t have time to harvest things from your garden this year? No worries. You can visit a local farmers market and stock up on what you need for any home gifts you plan to give this holiday.

Homemade Gifts Made Easy

I want to share with you some of my favorite gifts that are homemade and very easy to create. Have some fun with this. Use it as inspiration to give gifts that mean more than a gift care to someone you care about.

Homemade Gifts with Herbs

Tin can herb planters

If your herbs are so plentiful that you can’t find enough use for them, share them!

How to make it:

  • Find a good-sized tin and wash it both inside and out.
  • Paint the can to give it some color. You can use chalkboard paint, giving a fun rustic touch.
  • Write the herb on the front or add a small marker in the soil.
  • Add some nutrient-rich potting soil and plant the clippings from your herb garden.
  • Print out a paper with care instructions and a few recipes that showcase the herb.
  • You can get creative with your containers and use mason jars, tea tins, or repurposed glass jars from candles.

How to Give it:

  • Use a small tray or wooden box to hold the herb plant.
  • Add to it your care instructions and recipe cards.
  • Include a spray bottle and a pair of herb scissors.
  • Wrap it all in a bag and add your tag!

SLCG Pro Tip: If you choose to use jars for your herb gift, put a layer of pebbles or marbles at the bottom. This will prevent your plant’s roots from sitting in water, decreasing the risk of root rot.

Fresh garden herbs in recycled tin cans on tiled worktop with scissors

Seasoned Rubs

Meat and vegetable rubs can bring a lot of extra flavor to bland meals without adding heavy sauces. A good rub just needs a little olive oil to adhere to meats and vegetables, then roasting, or grilling will bring out all the flavors.

Dried herbs make wonderful rubs. Dried rosemary, thyme, oregano, and parsley are perfect additions to rubs.

How to make it:

  • Look for recipes online so you can grow all the ingredients you need.
  • After harvesting your herbs, dry them out for later use.
  • Add some dried garlic and onions, a little sugar, salt, and pepper, and you’ll have a delicious rub perfect for any dish.

How to Give it:

  • You can purchase a mixing bowl like this hand-carved wooden one and fill it with shredded paper.
  • Add a fun kitchen towel.
  • Put the jars of rub inside along with the instructions.
  • Add some fun recipes that are your favorites.
  • Wrap it all in a bag and add your tag!
a hand carved wooden mixing bowl
source: Olivia Goes Global

Tomato Sauce

I just love growing tomatoes in my garden. This gift is a great way to share that love with family and friends.

Everyone loves fresh gifts from the garden, and now you can give the next best thing!

How to make it:

  • Combine herbs, sauce, and canned tomatoes all from your garden.
  • Include a few dried herbs of oregano, basil, parsley, thyme, and rosemary.
  • If giving fresh herbs, plant each herb in a terracotta pot, tin, or glass jar.

How to give it:

  • Use a large basket or galvanized bucket to combine the gifts for this package.
  • Tuck in a few planters of herbs and jars of sauce and whole tomatoes.
  • Add in dried herbs or herb oils.
  • Print out herb care instructions and yummy recipes that your family loves.
  • Finish it up with a wooden spoon and fun towel.
  • Wrap it all in a bag and add your tag!

Herb Salts

Herb salts are a great way to add a kick of flavor to dishes. Dried rosemary added to flaky sea salt makes a delicious finishing salt to meats, vegetables, pasta dishes, and salads.

There are a variety of combinations you can create, or you can make your own special “house blend” with salt, black pepper, and dried herbs, perfect for sprinkling on just about anything.

How to make it:

  • Use coarse salt and add your favorite herbs to it.
  • Blend in a food processor until you have a fine consistency.
  • Let air dry for 2 hours.
  • Pour into a glass jar and secure the lid.

How to give it:

  • Make a few herb salts and put them all into jars.
  • Use fun labels that match the person’s personality.
  • Put them into a wicker basket lined with a gingham towel.
  • Add care instructions and a few ways to use the salt.
  • Wrap it all in a bag and add your tag!

Herbal Teas

Herbal teas are made from, you guessed it, dried herbs. And some edible flowers, which you can also find in your garden.

Mint tea is simply dried, crumbled mint leaves in a tea bag. If you find yourself with an excess of mint from your garden, mint tea might be the perfect Christmas gift idea.

How to make it:

  • Cut square pieces of unbleached muslin fabric.
  • Fill with your favorite herb tea blend.
  • Gather the corners and tie them with a cotton thread.
  • Bundle them together and add a label and instructions.

How to Give it:

  • Use a teapot or pretty cup for this gift.
  • Add in your tea bags along with instructions.
  • Pair it with a pretty spoon and sugar cubes.
  • Finally, add a small coaster at the bottom.
  • Wrap it all in a bag and add your tag!
homemade herbal bags of mint tea

Hibiscus is popular herbal tea, made from organically grown hibiscus flowers. It’s delicious hot but even better as iced tea. If you’re a tea lover, growing your own hibiscus will be a wonderful treat for you and make a great handmade gift for your tea-loving friends.

Want a savory tea? Tried dried sage with freeze-dried, crushed berries.

Scented Candles

Ahhh! The relaxation and bliss that scented candles bring make them the perfect Christmas gift idea for anyone on your list who needs to reduce stress. And this year, that might just be basically anyone on your list!

How to make it:

  • A combination of soy oil and coconut oils makes a good base and one that can even be used as a warm lotion.
  • The combination doesn’t get super hot, allowing the user to dip their fingers in the melted oil and rub it on their skin.
  • Add in a few drops of essential oils, dried herbs, dried flowers, and/or dried zest from citrus fruit, and you’ve got a perfect candle.
  • Glass jars for pouring the wax into and wicks are easily found online or in craft supply stores.
  • Get the full directions here.

How to give it:

Get creative and mix and match dried herbs and scents from your garden and your kitchen to find a relaxing combination.

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Lip Balm

Lip balm is another easy homemade gift idea from your garden. When the weather gets colder this is a great way to protect your lips that anyone would love to recieve as a gift.

How to make it:

  • Use a combination of coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter to make the perfect base.
  • Warm the oils together and simmer fresh herbs like mint or rosemary in the oil base until it becomes fragrant.
  • Pour the hot oil into lip balm tins (also found online or in some craft stores) and let it cool.

How to give it:

  • Use a small stocking to hold a collection of your favorite lip balms.
  • You can also use a mesh bag to hold them as well.
  • Put the bag or stocking into a large mug and partner with some hot cocoa.
  • Wrap it all in a bag and add your tag!

Scented Soap

Just as with candles and lip balms, scented soaps are easy to make and super fun to give because people will think you put in loads of effort! If you have never made soap before, try this super easy melt and pour DIY.

How to make it:

  • You’ll need a few supplies like soap molds (silicone or plastic are best) and bars of soap base.
  • Melt the soap base and add in any essential oils, herbs, or flowers.
  • Pour into your molds.
  • Allow to cure or set.

How to give it:

You can add a variety of dried herbs for both scent and texture. Ground-up nuts and oats also bring some texture and soothe skin. Mint, lavender, and rosemary-scented soaps are lovely, but you can also use flowers from your garden or citrus oils.

basket of goat milk soap with milk in the background

Lavender Linen Spray

A softly scented lavender linen spray is the perfect way to make your bedroom smell nice and relax you for a restful night’s sleep.

How to make it:

  • Start by simmering dried lavender buds in a cup of water until it becomes fragrant.
  • Then strain the buds out using a coffee filter and place the scented water into a glass jar or measuring cup.
  • Add in a cup and a half of boiling water and a couple of tablespoons of vodka (it helps to bring out the scent).
  • For more lavender scent, you can add drops of lavender essential oil.
  • Finally, mix it well and pour it into a glass spray bottle.

How to give it:

Homemade Gifts with Fruits and Vegetables

Citrus Room Spray

Say goodbye to Febreze and make your own scented spray for the air as well as fabrics. The key? Vodka. Why? It brings out the scents and unlike water, the strong alcohol content keeps it from growing bacteria.

How to make it:

  • All you need is a few cups of vodka and your favorite citrus peels (oranges, lemons, and grapefruits.
  • Infuse the vodka with the citrus peels for a few days to several weeks until the scent reaches the level you like.
  • As an added bonus, feel free to add fresh mint or rosemary from your garden.
  • Add the infused vodka to distilled water and add your favorite essential oils then pour it into a glass spray bottle.

How to give it:

Body Scrubs

Body scrubs not only scrub off dead skin, leaving your skin soft and smooth, and their lovely scents can be invigorating or relaxing, depending on the scent you use when making them.

Citrus scents are perfect for the morning and lavender makes a nice addition to any bath or shower in the evening.

How to make it:

How to give it:

citrus body scrub in a jar

Zucchini Bread

Zucchini bread puts all the extra zucchini from your garden to good use and makes a nice homemade gift. Add your own special twist with dried cranberries, orange zest, chocolate chips, toffee chips, nuts, or anything else you’d like to add.

Another nice bonus of zucchini bread, and most other quick breads, is that it freezes well. You can make it in advance and defrost it just before gifting it.

How to make it:

  • Get the recipe for our favorite zucchini bread here.
  • Use mini loaf pans when baking for easier gifting.
  • Once done, wrap in foil, label, and freeze.
  • When ready to gift, simply defrost it!

How to give it:

  • I love to give bread with a cutting board.
  • Place a few loaves on top.
  • Give fun ways to enjoy the bread on an accompanying card.
  • Wrap in a festive towel and add your tag!
zucchini bread sliced on a sheet of tin foil

Relishes

Homemade relishes are a great way to use surplus vegetables from your garden and give a delicious homemade gift. While you can certainly make a standard pickle relish, it can be fun to think outside the box.

A nice pepper relish is delicious on meats and spooned over cream cheese for a dip, and corn relish makes a nice taco or burger topping. Homemade relishes are a great way to get creative, have some fun, and use up as much of your extra harvest as you can.

With proper canning, relishes can last in the pantry for up to a year.

How to make it:

  • Find your favorite recipe and make it per the instructions.
  • Can relish using clean mason jars and following safety tips.
  • Label and date.

How to give it:

Pickles

Pickle spears, pickle chips, whole pickles, any way you make them, everyone is sure to love them.

If your garden produced a lot of cucumbers this year, making pickles is the best way to put them to good use. Not only that, but pickles are super simple to make! As with relishes, proper canning will allow them to stay shelf or refrigerator stable for several months to a year.

How to make it:

  • Find your favorite recipe and make it per the instructions.
  • Can pickles using clean mason jars and following safety tips.
  • Label and date.

How to give it:

  • A serving tray is a fun way to give this gift.
  • Add in a few jars along with eating instructions.
  • Tuck in paper plates and plastic silverware.
  • Wrap it all in a bag and add your tag!
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Jams

Jams are another great canning option for surplus fruits and veggies. Apples, oranges, and berries are nice additions to jams but don’t leave out the veggies.

A carrot jam with raisins and spices will please your friends and family. As with relishes and pickles, the best way to preserve jams is to use proper canning techniques. You don’t need a lot of special equipment; you can seal the lids using a water bath method in a large, deep pot.

How to make it:

  • Find your favorite recipe and make it per the instructions.
  • Can jams using clean mason jars and following safety tips.
  • Label and date.

How to give it:

  • A bread basket is a fun way to give this gift.
  • Add in a few jars along with eating instructions.
  • If you have some bread recipes, you can add them in as well.
  • Tuck in a pretty towel and a small knife.
  • Wrap it all in a bag and add your tag!
woman spooning homemade jam into gift jars

Making food gifts to can is not difficult, actually, it’s pretty easy, but it can be time-consuming and does require jars with sealable lids.

Ball mason jars are a good option. If you’re going to make relishes, pickles, or jams, plan a day to be in your kitchen, as it will take a few hours to make and can for storage.

Homemade Gifts with Flowers

Dried Flower and Herb Wreath

A wreath makes a lovely handmade gift for any home. Use a variety of dried flowers and herbs (still on the stem) to assemble a wreath right from your garden.

When the flowers and herbs are dried, the wreath will bring endless beauty to any door, kitchen, or dining room. Knowing the flowers and herbs that came from your garden will make the gift extra special for the recipient.

How to make it:

  • Dry the flowers and herbs you plan to use for this project.
  • Purchase a wreath form along with some floral wire.
  • Attach the flowers and herbs to the form, making sure everything is snuggly in place.
  • Add a pretty sign that matches the personality of the recipient.

How to give it:

  • You can give this gift as is wrapping it in a large bag to protect it.
  • If you want to give more, you can add a candle and a journal.
  • Don’t forget to add a tag along with some of the flowers you used to make this gift.
hands-working-on-creating-a-dried-flower-wreath-

Bath Salts

After a long, hard day, nothing is better than a hot bath with scented salts. Bath salts are also a great addition to a foot bath to help ease sore, tired feet.

They’re easy to make, and everyone you give them to will be extremely grateful.

How to make it:

  • Mix about six parts coarse sea salt with three parts Epsom salts and 1 part baking soda.
  • Add your own fragrances with dried flowers and essential oils.
  • Pour into a pretty jar with a lid.

How to give it:

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Potpourri

Potpourri is a lovely natural room freshener. With an assortment of dried flowers and herbs placed in a decorative bowl, it can scent a room for a month or more.

How to make it:

  • Make your own with a combination of dried herbs and flowers from your garden.
  • Gently mix together and sprinkle with essential oils.
  • Pour into a small bag or jar.

How to give it:

Homemade gifts are made easy with any of these ideas. Anyone on your holiday shopping list would love something special from your garden to their home. Yes, it’s true that getting started making these gifts does come with an investment; however, once you have the base supplies, you can make many gifts for years to come. 

For extra special Christmas gift ideas, assemble a few ideas for a gift basket. Make a gift basket filled with body scrub, bath salts, lip balm, candles, herbal tea, soaps, and linen spray for a relaxing spa gift.

For the food lovers on your list, give jams, relishes, rubs, bread, and pickles. The home lover will appreciate a wreath, room spray, candles, and potpourri. Whatever ideas you use, these handmade gifts made easy are sure to please.

More Gift Giving Resources:

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3 Comments

  1. So many great ideas!! Thank you so much for sharing and for stopping by the Homestead Blog Hop. We always love to see what you bring.

  2. NATALIE K says:

    Wonderful gift and giving ideas!! Many I never even read before!! Thank you!!!

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